Recovery Outline for the Central America, Mexico, and Western North Pacific Distinct Population Segments of Humpback Whales

In 2016, NOAA Fisheries revised the listing status of the humpback whale under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The globally listed endangered species was divided into 14 distinct population segments (DPSs), the species-level listing was removed, and NOAA Fisheries listed four DPSs as endangered and one DPS as threatened (81 FR 62260, September 8, 2016). The ESA generally requires recovery plans for the conservation and survival of listed endangered and threatened species. The DPSs are considered new listings under the ESA, so NOAA Fisheries is developing a DPS-specific recovery plan for the Central America, Mexico, and Western North Pacific DPSs. This new plan will replace the species-wide recovery plan that was published in 1991. Until the new recovery plan is complete, this recovery outline will serve as an interim guidance document and, with the existing species-wide recovery plan, direct recovery efforts, including recovery planning, for the Central America, Mexico, and Western North Pacific DPSs of humpback whales.